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Weather Alert

Weather Alert

...FREEZE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT CDT /1 AM EDT/
TONIGHT TO 9 AM CDT /10 AM EDT/ TUESDAY...

* WHAT...Sub-freezing temperatures in the upper 20s to lower 30s are
expected.

* WHERE...Portions of southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, western
Kentucky, and southeast Missouri.

* WHEN...From midnight CDT /1 AM EDT/ tonight to 9 AM CDT /10 AM
EDT/ Tuesday.

* IMPACTS...Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other
sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor
plumbing.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.

&&

Weather Alert

...The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in
Illinois...

Big Muddy River near Murphysboro affecting Jackson County.

Big Muddy River near Plumfield affecting Franklin and Williamson
Counties.

.Very heavy rainfall ranging from 6 to 9 inches fell across the
Big Muddy River basin over the past week. This will keep river levels
elevated over at least the next week. Major flooding is forecast
to develop at Murphysboro this week with moderate flooding at
Plumfield. Crests are expected on Wednesday at both locations.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the
dangers of flooding.

Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive
cars through flooded areas.

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

Caution is urged when walking near riverbanks.

Additional information is available at www.weather.gov.

&&

...FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE...

* WHAT...Moderate flooding is occurring and moderate flooding is
forecast. This approaches the flood of record.

* WHERE...Big Muddy River near Plumfield.

* WHEN...Until further notice.

* IMPACTS...At 34.0 feet, Many surrounding homes begin to flood.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- At 11:00 AM CDT Monday the stage was 27.3 feet.
- Forecast...The river is expected to rise to a crest of 33.0
feet early Wednesday afternoon.
- Flood stage is 20.0 feet.
- http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

&&

Former Johnson County Operator faces 13 felony charges in theft investigation

  • Updated
  • 0
Court Room Gavel
By Andrew Carrigan

CHICAGO, Ill. (WSIL) -- A Vienna man faces 13 charges after allegedly defrauding multiple southern Illinois counties of more than $100,000, an Illinois state official reported.

Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced on September 25, Justin Vaughn, 41 of Vienna, faces multiple charges in the investigation. Raoul says Vaughn allegedly defrauded money from Johnson, Hardin and Pope counties from 2017 through 2023, while he was employed as a Johnson County 911 operator.

According to online court documents, Vaughn faces the following 13 felony charges...

  • Theft >$100K/School/Worship (Class X Felony)
  • 4 X Income Tax Fraud (Class 4 Felony)
  • Theft Decep/Intent/Rend >$100K (Class X Felony)
  • Monetary/Conceal Prop >$500K (Class 1 Felony)
  • Forgery/Make/Alter Document (Class 3 Felony)
  • Forgery/Issue/Deliver Document (Class 3 Felony)
  • 4 X Official Misconduct/Forbidden Act (Class 3 Felony)

“Public servants must be held to a higher standard, and my office is working diligently to ensure that we work with law enforcement partners across jurisdictions to pursue allegations of fraud and official misconduct,� Raoul said. “Collaborations between my office and state and local law enforcement and government agencies are critical to identifying fraud and misconduct and holding individuals accountable when they abuse their positions for personal benefit.�

Attorney General Raoul stated this case was referred to him by the Johnson County State's Attorney's Office. Collaborating with the investigation was also the Illinois Department of Revenue and the Illinois State Police.

“While this type of crime may not be violent, it most certainly is not victimless, depriving governmental bodies of critical revenue and eroding public trust,� said IDOR Director David Harris. “We greatly appreciate the cooperative efforts of the Attorney General’s Office, the Illinois State Police and IDOR’S Bureau of Criminal Investigations on this case.�

“During our investigation, the ISP Special Investigations Unit found evidence of a public official trying to defraud the county out of hundreds of thousands of dollars,� said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “ISP’s Special Investigative Unit will continue to work with the Attorney General’s Office to investigate cases of money laundering and official misconduct.�

Vaughn's first appearance is in front of Judge Green on October 28, at 9 a.m. in Johnson County.

The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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